Once upon a time, the phrase “hotel restaurant” suggested a stuffy room with middling cuisine–but no longer. These days, some of America’s best restaurants are comfortably stationed within hotels. Here are five to know.

The Standard Grill, NYC: This hip Meatpacking District restaurant sits within the similarly fashionable Standard Hotel.
Ai Fiori, NYC: A high-end Italian spot from Michael White, tucked within Midtown’s Langham Place.
L’Espalier, Boston: While originally opened elsewhere, Boston’s top French fine dining restaurant is now housed in the Mandarin Oriental.
Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen, San Francisco: This modern gastropub, known for its beer and cocktails, is part of the Serrano Hotel.
B&B Ristorante, Las Vegas: If there’s anywhere that knows the potential of hotel restaurants, it’s Las Vegas; B&B Ristorante, from Mario Batali, is housed in the Venetian.

[Photo: Evan Sung]